CHIEF CHILD SUPPORT AND PATERNITY PROGRAMS
Career Family: CHIEF
In New Jersey, Chief Child Support and Paternity Programs is filled through the competitive process: candidates take a civil service exam and are hired off a ranked list, not picked at will.
The stated bar is a doctoral degree, but candidates can swap in added experience for the diploma. The FY2026 range lands between $106,547 and $157,363.
How to apply
-
Exam
This is an application to sit an exam and be placed on an eligible list for this title, not an application for a specific job. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. There may be no current vacancy behind it, and the list it produces may not be certified for months or years.
-
Exam
Open to permanent employees in the competitive division who hold a qualifying lower title in the same unit. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. Like the open competitive exam, this places you on a list; it is not itself a job offer.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator.
Definition
Under the direction of the Assistant Director, Child Support and Paternity Unit, Division of Public Welfare, Department of Human Services, has charge of the work programs. Activities and personnel relating to child support and paternity programs; does related work as required.
Examples of work
Carries major responsibility for program and policy development recommendations for the Bureau. Plans, organizes, and coordinates Bureau activities to conform to Federal and State Legislation, Regulations, and official policies. Gives assignments and instructions to staff members and supervises performance of their work. Manages the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for employee evaluations and for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees, Supervises the preparation of reports and presentations regarding the Bureau's activities. Develops and maintains cooperative working relationships with the County Welfare Agencies, the Administrative Office of the Courts, the County Probation Departments, the Attorney General's Office, County Prosecutors, County Department of Law, the Federal Office of Child Support Programs, Sheriffs and any other state agencies which will be participating in the New Jersey Paternity/Support Program. Takes part in conferences, training programs and meetings with Federal and State officials, and other lay and professional individuals involved with the child support program. Acts in place of the Assistant Director, Child Support and Paternity Unit, in his absence when required. Directs the establishment and maintenance of case histories, records, reports and files. Supervises the development, introduction and interpretation of new and revised policies and procedures in the child support program. Makes request for collection of child support obligation by the Secretary of the Treasury through the Federal Internal Revenue Service. Interprets Federal law and regulations. Supervises the conduct of formal evaluations of the quality, efficiency, effectiveness and scope of various support/paternity programs. Assures statewide applications of the policies and procedures of the Paternity/Support Program. Prepares the budget request for the Bureau. Makes recommendations for changes in law and regulations for submission to the Director of the Division of Public Welfare and Commissioner of Human Services. Interprets Nest Jersey Child Support law for County Welfare Board and their attorneys. May supervise the operation of and/or coordinate the development of user specifications for the Automated Child Support Enforcement System. May supervise the development, maintenance and operation of various State and Federal offset, intercept and interface programs for the purpose of collecting child support. Supervises the preparation of applications for federal grant units relative to the Child Support Program. Supervises and coordinates the preparation, development, and distribution of public relations materials relative to the Child Support Program in accordance with federal laws. Supervises and coordinates the preparation of comprehensive, concise, and timely responses to child support consumer complaints and inter-jurisdictional issues. May direct the negotiation, drafting and execution of reimbursement and purchase or service agreements with State and local agencies to whom child support activities have been delegated. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.
License
Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of the rules and regulations of the Child Support Program. Knowledge of the laws of New Jersey and the rules, regulations, policies and procedures of the Division of Public Welfare and the Department of Human Services. Knowledge of problems likely to be encountered in developing and carrying on a State-wide child support program. Ability to organize work and develop effective work procedures for a child support program. Ability to assign Bureau employees and supervise the performance of their work. Ability to plan orientation and in-service programs for Bureau personnel and take a leading part herein. Ability to act as a consultant and advisor on problems related to Child Support activities. Ability to plan and supervise a State-wide program of Child Support. Ability to supervise the preparation of histories, reports and records. Ability to collect data for, to prepare, and to interpret the annual budget request of the Bureau. Ability to comprehend, interpret, monitor, evaluate and recommend changes in program policies and procedures so as to ensure compliance of local agency practice with State and Federal laws and regulations. Ability to act as the representative of the Division and the Department at meetings and conferences. Ability to handle detailed correspondence pertaining to child support programs .End activities. Ability to prepare and supervise the preparation of clear, accurate reports. Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording information systems used by the agency, office or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Nine (9) years of professional experience of comprehensive administrative or supervisory experience in a large-scale agency performing functions and activities directly related to the development of planning, training and coordinating responsibilities of individuals involved in the obtaining of support for families. OR Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and five (5) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of a Juris-doctorate degree; and two (2) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgement and make accurate and informed decisions.